Plushenko leads after short program; Chan seventh

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2010 (6013 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — Evgeni Plushenko made his return to men’s figure skating in stunning fashion Tuesday, finishing first in the Olympic men’s short program with a routine that included one of his trademark quad jumps.

The Russian skater, gold medallist at the 2006 Olympics and runner-up in 2002, scored 90.85 for his Concierto de Aranjuez program, less than a year after coming out of a three-year retirement for one last shot at Olympic glory.

A victory by the 27-year-old Plushenko, a six-time European champion, would make him the first men’s skater to repeat as Olympic champion in 58 years. The free skate is on Thursday.

Evan Lysacek of the United States, the reigning world champion, was second with a score of 90.30. Skating a flawless routine to Igor Stravinski’s Firebird, an emotional Lysacek covered his face after his skate, then pumped his fist as the crowd gave him an ovation.

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, who didn’t do a quad, was third, earning 90.25 points with his expressive performance to Eye by Coba.

Patrick Chan of Toronto, skating to Tango de los Exilodos, was unable to deliver the flawless routine he needed to keep pace with Plushenko and finished the short program a disappointing seventh with a score of 81.12. He didn’t fall, but bobbled on his opening triple Axel and had an uncharacteristic stumble during his step sequence. Chan, who also received a one-point deduction for a going too long on his music, looked visibly upset in the “kiss and cry” after his score was announced.

“I’m really lost, I seriously got off the ice and I couldn’t believe what I had just done,” Chan said. “I pictured it in my mind just right, every step of the way. . . it’s OK, Thursday will be a new day.”

Chan will have to be flawless in the free skate and will need some of his competitors to falter to have a chance at the podium.

Vaughn Chipeur of Edmonton scored 57.22 with a shaky performance, stepping out of a triple toe-loop, and stumbling on his serpentine step sequence. He earned the last qualifying spot for the free skate, finishing 24th.

Chan, meanwhile, arrived in Vancouver under some heavy pressure as Canada has never won Olympic men’s gold. The world silver medallist has had a tough Olympic season, tearing his calf in September, which kept him off the ice for several weeks and out of all but two competitions this season. Then, just a month from the Olympics, his coach Don Laws announced he was dumping the 19-year-old skater.

Johnny Weir finished sixth with 82.10 points, but what the crowd-pleasing American lacked in points, he made up for in style. Wearing a flamboyant black translucent corset-like suit adorned with pink lacing, Weir skated a confident routine that engaged the crowd. After his skate, he blew a kiss and took a couple of bows.

Skate Canada officials, meanwhile, had their sight set on three medals in Vancouver, with ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir arguably the country’s top hope for a podium performance. Reigning world silver medallist Joannie Rochette will battle for a medal in women’s singles.

— The Canadian Press